Feeling Perk-y: Notable BigLaw Perks from the Vault Law 100

From tropical getaways to private gyms with rainfall showers, perks and benefits offered at many Vault Law 100 firms may seem extravagant to some. But when you’re slogging away until the wee hours, a personal concierge to pick up your dry cleaning or in-house yoga classes may be your only opportunities for self care. For the time that associates dedicate to the firm, having assistance with their most personal issues—childcare, adoption, military service, and more—can go a long way in helping attorneys feel appreciated. And with competition steep among the most prestigious firms, any way to set themselves apart is invaluable. Plus, fun perks like swag and snacks (Frosted Flakes, anyone?), can make a stressful day a little more manageable.

While all of the firms in the Vault Law 100 offer an incredible array of benefits and perks, we’ve selected some stand outs and unique perks shared in Vault’s Annual Associate Survey:

Alston & Bird: “Daycare exclusively for firm kids (operates on the same schedule as the firm).”

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP: “A&P has unlimited free lunch with new associates for their first three months ($50 per person limit), plus a mentorship lunch budget.”

Baker McKenzie: “The firm hosts a global soccer tournament among its offices and pays for associate teams from around the world to travel to a fun location (this year it was Belfast, last year Milan) to play soccer and hang out.”

Boies Schiller Flexner: “The firm’s annual meeting, where the lawyers from every office (partners and associates alike) descend with their families upon the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne for a weekend of dinner, dancing, and drinks.”

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner: “A CEREAL BAR (that’s new and very exciting).”

Cleary: “Firm-sponsored office ski trip every February.”

Covington: “Sparkling water on every floor!”

Crowell: “Full benefits, including adoption/surrogacy benefits, for LGBT individuals.”

DLA: “We have a quarterly massage budget provided by the firm, and we offer a suite of lifestyle support options (i.e. elder care hotline, backup babysitter service, babysitter referral service, firm discounts on services and products, etc.).”

Fenwick & West: “All associates are entitled to a one-week trip to Hawaii each year, with flights and condo provided for two people.”

Hogan Lovells: “The firm’s cafeteria is called 1904, named after the year the firm was founded. The firm heavily subsidizes food. You can get a huge breakfast for $2 and a huge lunch for $5.”

Irell: “We have a personal trainer who comes to our gym. You get one session per week free.”

Kramer Levin: “It’s great they give associates who bring in clients 7% of receivables. Plus we get a sabbatical of 5 weeks paid extra vacation days every 5 years.”

Orrick: “As a member of the military reserve, my firm provides me with 7 hours of billable-hour credit for each regular business day that I am out of the office attending military training. This is a huge incentive to continue my military service while balancing my firm work schedule.”

Quinn Emanuel: “There is a Global Experience program that sponsors associates to work absolutely anywhere in the world for a week (as long as there’s an internet connection) and a Global Exchange program that sponsors associates to work in any other Quinn Emanuel office for two weeks.”

Susman Godfrey: “The firm makes a (often quite substantial) profit-sharing contribution to associates’ 401(k)s and has a generous 401(k) matching program.”

V&E: “I receive several custom Vineyard Vines ties each year. It is just a token gift, but for some reason, I get immense pleasure out of wearing them and reminding people that the firm gave it to us.”

Weil: “A paid day off to do non-legal volunteer work.”

Williams & Connolly LLP: “Healthcare is 100% covered for associates.”

Multiple firms: Breast-milk delivery program for traveling mothers.

Multiple firms: Ramp-up program following parental leave through which parents work a reduced percentage of their schedule (e.g. 75%-80% of schedule) for full compensation.